Self-leveling dining-table for vessels



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheef1.

J. H. LA'SKEY. Self-Leveling Dining Table for Vessels. No. 233,778. Patented Oct. 26,1880;

(No Model.)

' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. H. LASKBY. -Leveling Dining Table for Vessels.

Self No. 233

Oct. 26,1880.

Patent N. PEIERS, PH

Prion.

PATENT V JOHN H. LASKEY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SELF-LEVELING DINING-TABLE FOR VESSELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 233,778, dated October 26, 1880. Application filed August 24, 1880. (No model) To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN H. LAsKEY, of Boston, county of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improved Self- Leveling Dining-Table for Vessels, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in dining-tables used upon ocean-steamers and passenger-vessels; and it consists in a certain novel arrangement and construction, whereby the tables, the chairs connected with the same, and the persons occupying them will remain in a horizontal position, unaffected by the rolling or pitching of the vessel, promoting the comfort of the passengers at meals, and preventing the sliding of dishes or other articles upon the table. These tables may be used for other purposes, as well as for meals, such as writing, card-tables, 850. The tables can also, of course, be made singly or in sections.

In the drawings, Figure l is a front view of the table and chairs suspended from the deck beams. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same, showing the position of the chairs and platform when not in use. Fig.3 is an end view, showing the chairs and platform in position for use, and the bell-crank lever, spring, and slide for fastening the table to the floor of the cabin.

The same letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

A represents the spreader or hanger connected, by the oblique chains to a, with the deck-beams B, by means of eyes fastened in the beams and hanger, or in any other suitable manner. 0 is the frame of the table, with its vertical posts, horizontal stringers, oblique braces, and cross-beams suspended from the deck-beams by the hanger A, oblique chains to a, and rodsbbhooked into eyes in the hanger and frame of the table. D is the platform of the table, with its leaves G, which, moving on hinges, may be turned up and fastened when the table is not in use, thus occupying less space. E represents the chairs, which revolve upon posts dovetailed at the bottom into slides e 0, attached to the platform of the table, thus preventing the chairs from drawing out, and

allowing them to slide inward toward the center of the table when not in use, so that the platform-leaves G may be turned upand fastened, or allowing the chairs to slide outward for use as desired. F is the bell-crank lever, which operates the slides f f by the aid of springs above them, to fasten the table. The slides have a recess at the ends, into which a comb or clutch, g, in the floor of the cabin, enters, and when the handle of the lever is thrown forward and the slide f forced downward by the aid of the spring above it the table is fastened and kept in place amidships when not in use.

A rod, S, extending lengthwise of the table, and just above the platform, passing through curved bearings c 0 at each end of the frame, to which rod the bell-crank lever F is attached by a shoulder, screw, and nut, or in any other convenient manner, connects the slides f f, at each end, and aided by the springs above, operates to fasten the table amidships by means of the bell-crank lever, as described.

Instead of the oblique chains to a, rods and eyes may be used with turn-buckles, to raise or lower the table, if desired.

Arod passingthrough the ends of the hanger A, and the end posts of the table, fastened by nut and screw, may be used for additional support of the weight of the table, if desired.

The operation of my table is as follows: The table is fastened to the floor of the cabin by the means described until the passengers are seated, then by throwing back the lever F and securing it in a keeper in the edge of the table the table is disconnected from the floor and the table and seated persons are not subjected to the motion of the vessel. The weight of the persons on the platform of the table and of the articles on the table preserve it in equilibrium, and all lateral motion or rolling of the vessel will be compensated by the swing of the table, suspended as described, so that the table and seated persons will remain in a horizontal position.

The pitching or fore-and-aft motion of the vessel is compensated by the operation of the oblique chains aa. As the vessel pitches forward, and the table swings in the same direction to find its level theforward chains shorten and raise that end, and the aft chains lengthen and lower the other, and so vice versa, as the vessel falls by the stern. Thus the table and seated persons remain comparatively at rest unaffected by the fore-and-aft or lateral motion of the vessel. This fore-and-aft motion is effected by the peculiar method of attachment by the oblique chains or rods to a.

It is evident that glass-racks, shelves, 850., may be suspended in the same manner with advantage.

The principle of this method of hanging a table or platform may be used in building stalls for the transportation of animals across the water with great benefit to them. The constant motion of the vessel at sea, pitching and rolling, obliges them to keep their legs braced to counteract the motion of the vessel, they cannot eat with comfort or lie down, and they lose strength and weight. By my prin ciple they will not be affected by the motion of the vessel, and can be carried comfortably. Having described myinvention, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination of the oblique chains a, a, the spreader or hanger A, the cross-rods b b, and a dining-table, all constructed and attached as described, whereby both the lateral and the fore-and-aft motions of the vessel are compensated, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the table and chairs, the oblique chains a a, the spreader A, and the drop-rods I) b, all constructed and attached as described, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of the table and chairs, the oblique chains a 06, the spreader A, droprods 1) I), the bell-crank lever F, and slide f, withits spring, all constructed and attached as described, as and for the purpose set forth.

JOHN H. LASKEY. Witnesses:

GEO. E. BELTON, J AS. RYAN. 

